I'm interested in track days

[Quasievil]

are you in Auckland or something?

i think i'll go to Hampton downs ride day this Sunday as its only 26km from my house and seem to have a good thing going for learners.
but that Pukekohe track seems like a good option after I get some skill and confidence going, and the bonus of it opened a lot more.

cheers

update.....

once again, my reading skills are bad. its about 70kms to the track from my house South, must of searched there postal address.
still do-able.

No in Hamilton mate.

I wouldnt bother going to Pukekohe on a 250 mate, 7 corners isnt exactly awesome .
Go to hampton or even better Taupo, more corners and better skills to be learnt as a consequence.
If you get to Hamilton for a Motott day I can trailer your bike down no probs, I can hook you up with one of the rider trainers as well.

cheers

[shonofear]

thanks 4 the advice.
Hampton seems the best choice at this stage, but will def get down to MotoTT in time.
Recommend any boots for us?
Daily communter (happy with me sneakers though, or might get sum Shift Street type shoes), weekend rider and possibly occasional track day rider, something that will be a good all rounder maybe, but i do like the looks of the full pro coloured racing boots. Cycletreads seems to have a few on special.
Will do some searching on these forums now though

[Quasievil]

thanks 4 the advice.
Hampton seems the best choice at this stage, but will def get down to MotoTT in time.
Recommend any boots for us?
Daily communter (happy with me sneakers though, or might get sum Shift Street type shoes), weekend rider and possibly occasional track day rider, something that will be a good all rounder maybe, but i do like the looks of the full pro coloured racing boots. Cycletreads seems to have a few on special.
Will do some searching on these forums now though

Heaps of choices on Boots mate, best advice is Ankle protection so its well supported (side to side) and make sure it has a Zip, not just velcro.
other than that foot sliders, gear change pads, shin protection, waterproofness, stitching quality, you dont want a chunky sole on a sportsbike all these things are features look out for.
You can spend moon beams on them thats for sure, but its not really needed.
Go see someone at a bike shop and get them to sell you a boot ;-)

[aprilia_RS250]

anyone know if you can have cars and motorcycles on the track at the same time? Like off hours for just 2 laps? I need to prove to my mate his skyline is a piece of shit and my rs250 will eat it for breakfast

[Devil]

anyone know if you can have cars and motorcycles on the track at the same time? Like off hours for just 2 laps? I need to prove to my mate his skyline is a piece of shit and my rs250 will eat it for breakfast

You'd have to hire the track.

[Devil]

i think i'll go to Hampton downs ride day this Sunday as its only 26km from my house and seem to have a good thing going for learners.
but that Pukekohe track seems like a good option after I get some skill and confidence going, and the bonus of it opened a lot more.

Be aware that your insurance is likely to cover you when doing a Hampton Downs Ride Day, or a MotoTT day. You just need to let them know you're doing it.
Depends on your insurer though.

They will not cover the Pukekohe test days.

The second issue is with speed groups - the Puke test days are run with all bikes together and at a track like Puke there will be a massive speed differential between your bandit, and a 1000cc sprots biek on the back straight. Potentially a 140km/h difference. You'll shit your pants when they come past.
Thats where having the different speed groups at a proper motorcycle track day is good - no surprises, no massive speed differentials.

[crazzed]

The second issue is with speed groups - the Puke test days are run with all bikes together and at a track like Puke there will be a massive speed differential between your bandit, and a 1000cc sprots biek on the back straight. Potentially a 140km/h difference. You'll shit your pants when they come past.
Thats where having the different speed groups at a proper motorcycle track day is good - no surprises, no massive speed differentials.

Have to agree with you here Matt Puke is not for a learner or first time track rider. Hampton will have one of the coaches there this weekend so you can chew his ear off about things to get your confidence up. Come say high to me ill be in the shed doing tyres and any small mechanical issues people have.

[shonofear]

Be aware that your insurance is likely to cover you when doing a Hampton Downs Ride Day, or a MotoTT day. You just need to let them know you're doing it.
Depends on your insurer though.

They will not cover the Pukekohe test days.

Hey, im with NAC and they clearly state not covered on racetrack
wondering if I can pay extra for that day or upgrade (already on full compre) to something even more pro ?
or are there other separate insurers that i can go to or just have none and ride like a Boss.

[Devil]

Kiwibike and John Baker (both brokers) can provide you with full comp insurance that can include track day cover, often underwritten by Star Insurance. The conditions are that you still need to contact them before the day, and they'll only cover days run by certain companies.

You can try calling up NAC and asking them. You need to remind them that it is not a timed or competitive event, that is normally the catch as far as insurance goes.

It's always a bit of a nerve wracking event, going to the track for the first time but you'll be fine. We (HDRD) run a first timers group to help put you at ease out there.

One of the most important things to keep in your mind is that you do have all day. Take your time, make your speed increases gradual and concentrate on being smooth rather than fast.

[racefactory]

anyone know if you can have cars and motorcycles on the track at the same time? Like off hours for just 2 laps? I need to prove to my mate his skyline is a piece of shit and my rs250 will eat it for breakfast

Garry the manager let me through on a 600 with the cars when it was quiet- was fun flying past a holden on the brakes into the hairpin. Have a chat with him nicely, he's pretty cool like that. If you're going to do that you'll have to do it at the end of the day though when it's quiet and most people have gone home.

[racefactory]

Have to agree with you here Matt Puke is not for a learner or first time track rider. Hampton will have one of the coaches there this weekend so you can chew his ear off about things to get your confidence up. Come say high to me ill be in the shed doing tyres and any small mechanical issues people have.

Pukekohe is fine for a learner or first time track rider. There are always good people to talk to down there. ART is also run down there. Sure it's got no run off but I think you're far more likely to crash after gaining confidence and pushing hard than when you are learning and overly cautious. I found the barriers and speed of the track just made me analyse my progress and push more gradually and carefully. I can't imagine coming off at Pukekohe but on the kart track on a supermoto or at the kawasaki sandpit I can't imagine ever not coming off- net result is probably more hurt and damage too!

[slowpoke]

The second issue is with speed groups - the Puke test days are run with all bikes together and at a track like Puke there will be a massive speed differential between your bandit, and a 1000cc sprots biek on the back straight. Potentially a 140km/h difference. You'll shit your pants when they come past.
Thats where having the different speed groups at a proper motorcycle track day is good - no surprises, no massive speed differentials.

Agreed, test days are definitely not for first timers or the inexperienced. Go to a structured track day where you'll feel a lot more comfortable, won't have to worry about getting in anyones way and there are often people specifically tasked with helping you get comfortable, learn and improve. It might be a tad more expensive but it's money well spent.

[racefactory]

I don't see the problem. If anything there's less to worry about at the open days. There are far less bikes for a start and it's honestly not hard to keep on your own course and let other bikes pass you. It won't happen that often either, you'll just be marveling at the site when it does .Just don't look back and concentrate on yourself.

You'll end up meeting whoever's down there and have a chat to find they'll be more than happy to help you out and just assure you of certain things if need be. Thanks to a few guys there and on this forum, on my second time I was doing 64 second laps on my 600 road bike in hiking boots with mirrors, plate etc- never been on a track prior. No need to worry about being 'n00b', you'll be fine.

It doesn't need to be so complicated, the main thing is that people just get down and have fun.

[Quasievil]

I don't see the problem. If anything there's less to worry about at the open days. There are far less bikes for a start and it's honestly not hard to keep on your own course and let other bikes pass you. It won't happen that often either, you'll just be marveling at the site when it does .Just don't look back and concentrate on yourself.

You'll end up meeting whoever's down there and have a chat to find they'll be more than happy to help you out and just assure you of certain things if need be. Thanks to a few guys there and on this forum, on my second time I was doing 64 second laps on my 600 road bike in hiking boots with mirrors, plate etc- never been on a track prior. No need to worry about being 'n00b', you'll be fine.

It doesn't need to be so complicated, the main thing is that people just get down and have fun.

Racefactory are you on drugs ?

the guy is on a 250cc bike, as an ex racer I dont want to be TESTING a race bike to see some NOB on a 250 in the fucking way learning how to ride a bike.
Trackdays are for this, NOT test days

[shonofear]

agreed an id hate to be that guy :P